Page 32 of Ride
The director yelled for a break, and I jumped up and stalked toward Sarai in fury.
“Calm down. I knew you would be pissed, but we had to work this angle before a blogger tried to run it. I got the photos taken down and sent the lawyer to handle Gossip Tea,” Sarai rambled, filling me in before I exploded.
“Sarai, you know I hate blindsides.”
“Which is why we had to put you on the spot and get Maya to air it in a way you wouldn’t become a trending topic by leeches. Trust me, Laikin,” Sarai said before going to Sincere.
I raked a hand down my face. “Shit.” Even though I knew she was right, Kayne would be the one getting blowback if the media found out about him.
Was I protecting her son? I shook off the thought.
Amena came up beside me. “If you want me to leave, I will and I can provide you recommendations on another stylist. I’m sure?—”
My glare held her gaze. “Amena, stop trying to run away. Sarai set this up to combat all the noise from the social media bloggers.” I grimaced, hating that she wasn’t acting like her old self around me. As the ex-wife of a politician, she probably had to field questions nonstop for years, but a high-profile athlete with a playboy reputation was another kind of obstacle.
“Maya’s ready to continue. She’s going to focus on the charity now and then we’ll wrap up,” Sarai let us know. I stomped over to the stage area, letting makeup do touchups. Maya sat down and put on a Colgate smile.
“We are back with the two biggest names at Pierce Motors Inc., Sincere Pendelton and Laikin Trenton. We like to get to know the men behind the cars, and recently you helped raise funds for the community centers around the country, correct?”
“A dinner and auction featuring sports athletes,” I responded.
“Sincere, a young woman won a date with you—and Laikin, an older couple received the chance to come to the track. What made this cause one of your passions?”
“I see myself in those kids, growing up in a single parent household, no mentors until I got to the program. The help I received changed my life.” Sincere chucked his head up and rubbed his chin.
The rest of the interview continued on with a speed round of questions from our favorite music, celebrities we’ve met, to me stepping outside of the racing world and into a few acting roles. Amena and Sarai stood off to the side talking with Maya after we finished laughing and joking. Silencing my phone from the millionth call from Callie, I blocked her from all social media and uploaded a picture of me and Sincere on stage together.
I posted on my social channels and comments flew rapidly to see our location. We got back to the hotel, and I chilled, smoking with Sincere in my suite and watching the playoffs until dinner. I lifted my phone from the table, a flash of temptation had me feeling guilty for my thoughts.
Tisha: I haven’t heard from you in a few weeks.
Me: Not much to talk about, we’re good.
Tisha: So, call me when you’re back in town.
Calliegirl: We can start over, Laikin.
Me: Callie I blocked you once, now you’re turning into a stalker.
Sincere held out the lighter for my cigar. “What got your face ugly like that?”
“Fuck you, but it’s Tisha and Callie texting me back-to-back.
“Shit, invite them over.”
“Motherfucker, they’re in California.”
“Hell, I can do phone sex.” Sincere shrugged.
“Get out.”
Sincere burst into laughter. “Come on, bro.”
“Nope, you would be the type to get me into some shit, and I’d end up with Sarai kicking my ass.”
Calliegirl: Laikin, you know we’re meant to be.
Tisha: I’m wearing your favorite thong.